Young Truck Sales officials say they've put in a major piece of the natural gas puzzle.

The company recently opened the first service facility in Northeast Ohio designed for heavy-duty natural gas and cryogenic trucks.

The business will fill a void of certified repair facilities and make it easier for truck operators to enter the world of compressed natural-gas powered vehicles with all their benefits, said Craig Young, company president, at a ceremonial event Thursday.

NATURAL GAS BENEFITS

Trucks powered by compressed natural gas are more expensive than their diesel counterparts, but the payback is rapid, he said.

"I don't think we can call it a no-brainer, but (the decision to switch) is not as difficult as it could be," Young said.

Natural gas is less expensive than diesel fuel and more environmentally friendly and efficient, said Matt Sutter, CEO of SoL Harris/Day architecture, the firm that built the 10,000 square-foot facility at 2230 Shepler Church Ave. SW.

The benefits of natural gas vehicles are starting to catch on, he said. By 2020, the number of natural gas vehicles in use is expected to jump from 12.5 million worldwide to 65 million.

"This is just the beginning of something great starting to happen," Sutter said.

Natural gas is also produced in Ohio and found right in Stark County, Young said.

"It's our fuel and we're not dependent on foreign countries," he said. "It makes it so exciting for our area."

Natural gas might make for a good fuel, but its also clear and odorless, presenting a possible safety hazard. In response, the facility was designed with multiple sensors in the ceilings and other safety features to keep workers safe. Lots of work went until making the facility safe for something you can't see, Stutter said.

FUTURE EXPANSION

In the next year or so, one or two natural gas fueling stations, including one available to the public, will open near the facility, Young said.

The company is also planning an expansion and remodeling of its other buildings, which should be finished by next summer.

Young said he's looking to hire six to eight technicians at the facility, adding that they are good paying jobs.

For years, Stark County has seen the population dwindle and businesses leave. This is part of the region's turnaround, said Young.